Trial Information

Exercise for Physical Health in Men With Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer survivors with advanced disease are commonly treated with androgen
deprivation therapy (ADT) to reduce testosterone. Serious side effects of ADT are rapid bone
and muscle loss that can lead to osteoporosis and declines in neuromuscular function
(strength, power, gait and balance) which increases the risk of fracture and falls (a risk
factor for fracture) and impairs physical function. Men on ADT are 1.4 times more likely to
fracture compared with their cancer-free peers and those who fracture have a poorer
prognosis than those who do not. Self-report physical function is also lower among men on
ADT. Exercise can prevent bone loss, neuromuscular declines and falls in several
populations. However, the ability of exercise to prevent bone loss from ADT has not been
tested, while data on exercise and neuromuscular function (strength only) in this population
are limited to one published trial. The long-term goal of our research is to improve
musculoskeletal health and function in cancer survivors. Critical first steps to meet this
goal are to determine whether our previously tested program of impact and resistance
exercise, shown to improve bone health and neuromuscular function in women, can prevent bone
loss and neuromuscular declines in prostate cancer survivors on ADT. Based on our previous
research, we have developed the POWIR program (Prevent Osteoporosis With Impact +
Resistance) to be adapted to clinical populations at risk for bone loss and declines in
neuromuscular function. Potentially, POWIR could mitigate bone and muscle losses from ADT,
and thereby lower fracture risk and improve quality of life.